CO Fall Bear Huntin

[jackem]

It's been very dry here so I decided to sit on this spring fed pond after hearing of two bear sighting in the area. If you look just above the tip of the tripod in my pack you can see the pond. It is a very slight down angle with the yardage to the near side of the pond 212 and the far side about 250 yards

I was on this rim rock from an hour before sunrise to noon. No bears but it was a beautiful area to camp in the night before and a gorgeous fall day in Western CO waiting on a bear to work up a thirst. Just after dawn a couple of does busted out of the pond area 100 yards are so and then looked back for a couple of minutes before moving on so I was pumped for an hour thinking that a bear was in the area but not so that I saw. Got two more weekends

 

[Derek M.]

Cool! What a sweet view. What is your "weapon at ready" there?

 

[jackem]

Its a R700 P built by APA in 338 LM with a 28" barrel plus the brake. I got it back about 10 days before the season and haven't had time to dial in a load. So far I've gotten sub MOA groups out to 600 with factory HSM 300 grain Bergers and a NF 5.5-22 so I'm happy with the rifle's performance for now. This winter I'll get some of the brass I'm producing and work up a load using the excellent info I've found on here. Thanks reloaders!

However, my next project will be a lighter weight rifle...lightbulb

As to the bear hunting, the next 10 days here are forecast to be hot and dry so I'm going to give those waterholes my attention until the weather changes. No baiting in CO so we've been watching oak brush thickets with lots of acorns and bear sign.

It seems to me that there is more bear activity just before dusk than there is at first light. Any evidence of that from hunters that put trail cams on bait? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[p dog shooter]

Havig baited for over 30 years. Most of the bears are seen towards evening but they can and do show up at all hours of the day.

But if I only had a few hrs to hunt it would be the last few of the day.

 

[C.O. Shooter]

Looks like a great vantage point! Are your slippers waterproof? Lol... Good luck on your hunt!

 

[jackem]

Are your slippers waterproof?

I know! I was looking at the pic and couldn't believe I still had my 'slides on. I wondered if someone would notice

I use those old shoes when I'm camping in my vehicle, nice and easy to slide on & off. I remembered almost everything else in the early morning dark except changing my shoes when I was getting ready to hike in...

'Course if the weather doesn't change I might be able to use them right on through elk season next month.

 

[mike33]

I already got my bear tag along with my bull tag for 62. Was told there is quite afew darn near excited as much for bear as i am elk.
Mike

 

[Gene R.]

yep , noticed the slippers right off also. After soaking in all of the photo I thought , Man you suck. (lol) No, I suck because your there doing it. You could just sit there take in that view and relax all day huh? There is something to be said for fair weather days and slippers the older ya get. Good luck

Gene

 

[jackem]

I already got my bear tag along with my bull tag for 62. Was told there is quite afew darn near excited as much for bear as i am elk.
Mike

Mike, You should have good luck with both your tags. According to the local wisdom we are surrounded by bears 'tho you couldn't prove it by me -only seen two so far this season. We've have seen lots of elk and an archer took a "as the story goes" 405 bull in the area. I've seen a picture and the rack is big, non-typical, and a heck of a trophy.

Good luck

 

[jackem]

yep , noticed the slippers right off also. After soaking in all of the photo I thought , Man you suck. (lol) No, I suck because your there doing it. You could just sit there take in that view and relax all day huh? There is something to be said for fair weather days and slippers the older ya get. Good luck

Gene

You should hear the stories I tell about the hardships of hunting

 

[mike33]

Mike, You should have good luck with both your tags. According to the local wisdom we are surrounded by bears 'tho you couldn't prove it by me -only seen two so far this season. We've have seen lots of elk and an archer took a "as the story goes" 405 bull in the area. I've seen a picture and the rack is big, non-typical, and a heck of a trophy.

Good luck

In 62?

 

[jackem]

In 62?

All I know is that a local bowhunter took it on public land.....not sure if he is saying exactly where

 

[mike33]

Wow, what an elk. And if the western boys are like us eastern guys we all lie about things like that.

 

[TheHardWay]

Nice vantage point. You are right about it being dry! Acorns and choke cherries are non-existent for us around here. Is it like that for you as well?
I managed to take a bear, but still trying to find one for the wife.